For your viewing pleasure and to warm you up for forthcoming announcements for Supersonic 2010 - IRON LUNG live at Supersonic 09 - absolute comic genius! Look out for a live release coming soon…

still a handful of Harvey Milk live vinyl from Supersonic 08 BUY NOW

Jenny Moore and Lisa Meyer are Capsule – Birmingham promoters of great alternative music and arguably the sole reason why great alternative artists visit the home of heavy rock music. In 2003 they launched Supersonic festival, which has carved out a reputation as the best and loudest noise festival in the UK – if not the world –seeing headliners including Mogwai and Sunn O))) – and has an undeniable knack for getting the world’s best alt. bands onto a UK stage for the very first time. Last year saw the first ever UK show for Italian soundtrack legends Goblin (whose credits include George A Romero’s Dawn of the Dead and Dario Argento’s Suspiria) – it was truly a magical moment.

Supersonic takes the best parts of city and field festivals and infuses them into one. The festival site – Birmingham’s Custard Factory – is closed off from the rest of the world, yet you still get to sleep in a comfy bed and have a shower every morning. The pool that provides the centrepiece to the Custard Factory is drained and made into the main stage, whilst readymade venues become other stages and a cavernous warehouse provides a second large stage, tailormade for the incessantly loud noise Supersonic has become known for. It’s a one of a kind, and the people who attend are described by Lisa as “people who want to experience something new and aren’t afraid to go see something a bit different, it’s definitely not for fans of playlists.”

READ FULL ARTICLE

Audience from Supersonic 2009 by Mark E Rhodes

We’ve just come back from a Birmingham City Council consultation meeting about the cities ‘Music Industry’. Over the 10 years we’ve been doing Capsule related activity we’ve been invited to a fair few of these things and still very little seems to have moved on.

It occured to us that based on our breakdown of tickets sales from Supersonic (see above) we have a relatively small West Midlands audience and having spoken to other independent folks within this area this seems to be the case across the creative industries. Birmingham dates regardless of genre always seem less well attended to those in other cities in the UK. There is no doubt there is a wealth of talent and tonnes of great people working really hard to promote stuff, run venues, labels etc. However it seems across the creative industries there is quite a limited regional audience that engages with independent  activity. So my question to you wonderful folks is why do you think this is?  What are the barriers and how do we work towards resolving it?
We’d be really happy to open this debate so – answers on a postcard.

Capsule’s first gig after Supersonic Festival will be the mighty and monstrous Electric Wizard with support from Blood Ceremony. A great way to kick things off after the summer and you seem to agree as all tickets online and in the shops have SOLD OUT! A few tickets will be kept on the door so anyone without one should get to the venue early.

11.09.09
Electric Wizard
+ Blood Ceremony
Hare and Hounds
8pm
£10.00

We have just released a limited edition clear vinyl recording of Harvey Milk live at Supersonic 2008,  it can be purchased exclusively from our shop – get them while you can!
BUY NOW

This follows on from our OXBOW DUO performing Loves Holiday feat. Stephen O’Malley, Justin Broadrick , Dave Cochrane + Chipper live release from Supersonic 2007.

Recorded at Supersonic 2008, this was Harvey Milk’s first ever UK performance.

After much persuasion Capsule managed to coax Harvey Milk out of America to play in the UK for the first time. Saturday night on the outside stage at Supersonic 08 became a memorable occasion with this long awaited performance providing a suitably raucous climax to the festival’s proceedings…they certainly didn’t disappoint then and we’re equally excited to have been able to record and package up this little piece of Supersonic memorabilia as a special souvenir, whether reliving the experience or wishing you’d be there, we’re sure you’ll cherish it.

Tracklist: Side 1: 1. Crush Them All 2. Plastic Eggs 3. War 4. A Maelstrom of Bad Decisions 5. We Destroy The Family Side 2: 6. Shame 7. Probolkoc 8. Lay My Head Down Down 9. What I Want

by meisai lee

An ongoing collation of mentions of Supersonic 2009 across the internet. Please feel free to let us know if you’ve taken photos, written a review or blog post or generally want to share your experience of the festival. We’ll be adding to this over the next couple of weeks. (the first incarnation of the Supersonic Memory was created by the rather wonderful mr Pete Ashton ( who was this year responsible for pulling together the Supersonic Twitter feed) – you can check out what folks thought from 2007 + 2008 both sit on the Created In Birmingham blog)

Previews
* NME
* Vice Magazine – Festival Guide Interview with Earthless + The Accused + Growing + Skullflower
* The Line Of The Best + Interview with Supersonic
* Drowned In Sound
* Terrorizer Magazine interview Iron Lung + Thorrs Hammer + Johnny Doom
* The Quietus interview with Goblin
* The Guardian : Festival preview + Goblin Interview
* Strange Glue
* Alex Fitch
* Jazz Breakfast
* Electric Sheep
* The Stirrer
* The Skinny
* Birmingham Post – Creative Industries
* Birmingham Post - Brum Cast pod cast no1
* Birmingham Post - Helga Henry column
* I want your Skull
* Time Out Magazine
* blablaismo
* Dazed Digital – interview with Goblin
* Alt Sound
* Clash Magazine
* Fused Magazine
* Fact Magazine
* Jazzwise
* Sup Magazine
* Soundshock
* Russ L

Radio
Rhubarb Radio Friday/Saturday/Sunday

Reviews websites/mags
* Bearded Magazine
* Drowned In Sound
* Liverpool Echo
* Muso’s Guide + Interview with Chris Herbert
* Guardian – Goblin show
* Dazed Digital – Goblin show
* Loud Vision (Italian review)
* MTV 2
* Birmingham Live!
* The Quietus review + podcast interviews with The Accused
* Strange Glue review + Flower/Corsano Duo + Monotonix + Tartufi + Pontiak + Arbouretum + Thorr’s Hammer + MMOB + Skullflower
* Londoners
* Terrorizer
* Freq
* Flashlight Music
* NME
* MTV News
* Heathen Harvest
* Birmingham Mail
* The Line Of The Best

Blogs
* Roadburn Festival
* Steve Gerrard Photographer
* Peapods
* NTU 07-10
* Build & Destroy
* A Man Walks Into A Bar
* Pete Ashton – There Are No Others, There Is Only Us
* Cthonian
*The Wirewool
* Invada Records
* Honey Is Funny
* Cows Are Just Food
* Phantom Circuit
* Bunny Bissoux + pet show
*  Outcrowd Collective
* Logulogu
* Vibes4life
* Birmingham Jazz
* Brum Blog
* Thee Claw
* Mark Titchner
* Golden Hands
* Digbeth Is Good
* Folking Cool
* Unsleeping Eyes
* Chris Hathway
* University Of Central Lancashire
* God Damn The Sun
* Metal Ireland.com
* Simon Peplow
* Collected Stories
* Mr Elephant
* Untiedknot
* Make Your City
* Ash-10 – Twitter use at Supersonic report
* Marmite Clock
* Glatze
* Data & Stuff
* Unsleeping Eyes
* Alright Pal
* Southern Lord
* Golden Hands
* White Blank Page
* Mass Movement Magazine
* AXXON
* Russ L

Photos
* Flickr Supersonic Pool
* Katja Ogrin
* JwRobinson
* Crimson Glow
* Make Your City
* Katchooo
* The Sleeping Shamen : Atomized + Thorr’s Hammer + Scorn + MMOB + Skullflower + Iron Lung + Diagonal + Rose Kemp
* Shot2bits
* Staf Magazine ( Spain) photo gallery review to follow

Video
*Pete Ashton 1200 photos in 6 min animation
* Monotonix 1 2 3
* Glatze 1 2
* Venetian Snares 1
* Sunn 0))) 1 2
* Head Of David 1 2
* Earthless 1
* Thorr’s Hammer 1 2
* Master Musicians Of Bukkake 1 2
* Goblin 1 2
* Iron Lung 1 2
* Memory Band 1
* Caribou 1
* Pontiak 1 2
* Theo 1
* Army of Flying Robots 1
* Rose Kemp 1
* Jarboe 1

* Marnie Stern  1
* Esoteric 1 2
* Khyam Allami 1
* Nancy Wallace 1
* Zu 1 2 3
* Bobby Previte 1

Social networks
* Facebook Group
* Twitter feed

Fora
* Doom Forever Forever Doomed + London Thorr’s Hammer Show 1 + 2
* Five Eight
* DIS

Thanks to everyone that came along to this years Supersonic Festival, particularly a huge amount of gratitude to our volunteers, crew & to all the artists that were involved and of course our wonderful audience – it was a truly special weekend, with a great atmosphere.
Due to a lack of sleep over the last few days – we are officially off line – back soon.

In the meantime please feel free to upload your photos to our Flickr group

We also have an online questionnaire for post festival feedback. Supersonic Questionnaire

With only 1 day to go here is some useful stuff to help make your weekend great – we look forward to seeing you.
X Supersonic Team

TICKETS
Friday tickets are SOLD OUT
There are a limited amount of weekend tickets which do include Fri/Sat/Sun
and individual Saturday/Sunday tickets available from
http://www.theticketsellers.co.uk
24 hr order line – 0844 870 0000 – Calls cost max 5p per min from BT landline
Polar Bear – Kings Heath Birmingham
Swordfish – City centre Birmingham
Rough Trade East – London

There will also be a limited amount of SAT/SUN tickets available on the door.

TIMETABLES
FRI, SAT, SUN
Please note there will be some clashes, this is the nature of a festival

BOX OFFICE
Doors open at 9pm on Friday night , only then will you be able to pick up your wristbands
Saturday from 4pm & Sunday 2pm
This is located at the top of Gibb Street at the Custard Factory
For etickets you will need to bring with you the confirmation code + your postcode

DIRECTIONS
Festival Location

FOOD & DRINK
Food stalls are open on Saturday & Sunday -  includes Squisito (Italian deli and ice cream), 100% Cornish BBQ, The Crepe Shack, Sabai Sabai (Thai food), Hogans Cider.
Be sure to check out the ‘MARKET PLACE‘ which houses bands merch as well as a number of independent distributors, record labels and peddlers of curiosities as well the tea room where you can sample a selection of epicurean delights.

EXTRA FREE STUFF
Supersonic has teamed up with a number of arts organisations in the area to add a bit of culture to the weekend.
Why not sign up on Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 July between 1-5pm for a free canal boat trip courtesy of Ikon Gallery. Visitors can make short journeys, accompanied by soundtracks selected by artists performing at the Festival. Boat trips leave The Bond promptly on the hour, limited to 12 places per trip, booking is strongly recommended – please call Ikon on 0121 248 0708.
Children must be accompanied at all times.
There are also a number of exhibitions you can visit at IKON EASTSIDE, VIVID & EASTSIDE PROJECTS.

RHUBARB RADIO
Broadcasting live from the festival over the weekend www.rhubarbradio.com/

TWITTER
Keep up to date during the festival by following us http://twitter.com/supersonicfest

HOUSEKEEPING
Last but not least some general FAQ’s.
* Weather provision, the festival is under cover however you will need to walk between venues, so best to bring umbrellas or rain coats just in case.
* There are NO CASH POINTS in Digbeth – so come armed with cash (nearest one is by the Bull Ring Shopping centre 10 mins walk)
* There is a cloak room on site.
* Parking – there is a car park located on Heath Mill Lane, 1 road away from the Custard Factory
* No Camping – there are a list of recommended hotels on our website.
* We DO NOT allow you to bring your own alcohol on site, and you may be searched on entrance by security, there are a number of bars on site including this year Purity Ale – with Pure UBU & Mad Goose and Hogans Cider Stall.
* If you are under 18 you must be accompanied by an adult.
* We are happy for you to take photos however we ask that you act within a reasonable code of conduct, please limit photography to a maximum of two songs per set and be aware of your fellow audience members.
* Drugs – sorry but a strict no drugs policy, if you are caught you will be escorted off site – YOU”VE BEEN WARNED!

We look forward to seeing you, travel safe
from the ever increasing Supersonic Team

With just under a week now till Supersonic Festival kicks off we have the individual timetables up, so you can plan your weekend in advance.
You can find FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY on our website.
Happy planning.

* Please note there maybe some clashes – this is the nature of festivals

Double Bubble: Supersonic Previewed – Goblin Interviewed

Our favourite extreme music festival – Supersonic – is almost here. We look forward to the treats in store and Jimmy Martin talks to Italian psych/prog horror legends Goblin
Not so long ago, Brian May was heard to remark that Queen’s soundtrack to Flash Gordon marked the first instance of a rock band providing the score to a motion picture. Much as we all love Flash Gordon and the glorious bombast that accompanies it, such a claim is plainly nonsense. Not only does it ignore the frequently meandering and inconsequential work that Pink Floyd delivered to score films like Zabriskie Point, More and La Vallee, and the work of Can on the numerous celluloid projects that led to their Soundtracks album, but it also fails to take into account the twin titans of 70s rockscore lore, whose startlingly vivid work looms large over not only much else of a similar disposition, but sometimes the very films themselves: Florian Fricke’s Popol Vuh, and the Italian maestros of florid grand guignol, the band synonymous with horror auteur Dario Argento, Goblin.

Goblin’s cult following originally began around the time that their score to Profondo Rosso became a chart hit in their native land, somehow taking a sound which occupied similar territory to the ill-reputed likes of Mike Oldfield and Emerson Lake And Palmer, yet injecting it with a dynamism and drama that places them well outside the more self-regarding and indulgent spheres of mid-seventies experimentation

Indeed, such was the impact of Goblin’s music, that the symbiotic relationship between film and soundtrack was often thrown beyond its usual metier. During the making of Argento’s heavenly bloodbath Suspiria, for instance, much of the music was recorded before any of the film was actually shot, and played on set to build up the requisite atmosphere. True to form, it’s genuinely hard to imagine that film’s otherworldly allure being anything like as potent without Goblin’s dark, deliciously overwrought blend of progressive baroque and wild, raw experimentation blasting away in tandem.

Read the full article
http://thequietus.com

Goblin perform for the first time in the UK at Supersonic Festival on Sunday 26th of July and also at the Scala in London on Monday 27th of July
Tickets for Supersonic Festival are available from www.theticketsellers.co.uk
and for the London show from www.ticketweb.co.uk